March Movement: Caring for Your Present Self
- Lay Jordan
- Mar 6
- 7 min read
A gentle reminder to care for your present self while you build your future self.
TL;DR
Takeaway: Movement is care, not a competition. Your “dip” is data, not a failure.
Who it’s for: Anyone feeling busy, stretched thin, or close to burnout who still wants a simple way to stay grounded.
Mini plan (March): Set a 10-minute minimum, pick one fun option (dance) and one steady option (walk or strength), and rotate based on your day.
Rule: Keep it sustainable. Ten minutes counts. One song counts. One lap counts.
Track: Notice the after feeling (energy, mood, focus), so consistency is built on care.
Sometimes the most powerful growth move is not pushing harder. It is pausing long enough to notice what you need right now. This month is an invitation to let your habits support you in real time, not just in some future version of you. Think of it as a reset that feels like care: steady, simple, and sustainable. In Episode 68 (my 2025 highs + lows), I shared the habits and lessons that shaped my year, and one thing I kept coming back to was walking. If you want a full reset-style pep talk on habits and lessons, go listen to Episode 68 through one of the links below.
Episode No. 68
Where to listen:
This post focuses on movement.
The data: my steps dropped (and that is information, not a failure)
In December, walking felt like my default setting. It was a mini-challenge for the season, and I moved through my days with that extra momentum, averaging 20,661 steps a day.
Then January arrived, full of fresh plans and new energy, and my average eased down to 18,614.
By February, it shifted in a way I could feel in my body and in my calendar: 12,625.
That number is not “low.” It is simply different. And it was a mirror.
January and February can be packed. You are building more projects, meeting new people, reconnecting, and testing new methods as you work toward your dreams. Even good things can stack up.
March, for me, always feels like a slow re-entrance into more in-person energy. It is the month where I pause and ask:
How do I make sure I am caring for my present self, even while I am building my future self?
Because striving, not from lack, but from love and effort, can still be exhausting.
In February, I felt close to burnout.
And one more note, because I know the internet can take things way too far: if these step counts feel unrealistic for you, that is okay. When I share my numbers, it is never to say this is “right” or that it should be the norm, because there is no real norm. This is what has been realistic for me in this season, based on my current circumstances and the way I am still building my life.
Circumstances change. Maybe I will keep moving like this for a while, and maybe one day it will be too much. Either way, that is for me to learn and adjust to in real time. I am sharing my experience, not handing out a standard. And in 2026, I hope we all practice a little more discernment: you do not have to personalize a stranger’s routine, or let someone else’s post make you feel “behind.” Take what helps, leave what doesn’t, and keep it moving.
With that said, this is the part I want to stay rooted in: movement as something that steadies me, not something I have to “win” at.
Movement as grounding (not perfection)
Movement is one of the easiest habits to underestimate, and one of the most powerful for keeping me steady. It never has to be perfect. Some days you move in your pajamas. Some days you put on a cute set and go outside. Some days you lift heavier, and some days you do not. Some days it is low-impact, and other days it is high. Some days it is strength, and other days it is balance or coordination. You do it alone, and you do it with other people. The point is simple: move to the best of your capacity today.
10 At-Home Workouts I recommend
1) Grow with Jo " ULTIMATE FAT LOSS PLAN - 6 weeks"
This workout has all 5 days. Of all the workouts I’ve done, this one is my favorite because it is very simple and removes decision fatigue.
2) Tara's Body " Afro Pilates."
Perfect if you want something a little different than classical pilates
3) MadFit" Bruno Mars Dance Workout."
I love a good Madfit dance, and this one is so fun!
4) Kaji Pm "20 Min Metabolic Dance Walk."
5) MIZI "12 Min STRAY KIDS Dance Party "
6) ElaniFit "30 mins Full Body Cardio Workout."
7) Emkfit "22 min HIIT Dance Workout."
8) Janekate Fitness "20 min Full Body HIIT Workout."
9) Grow with Jo " 30 min Full Body Standing Workout."
10) Juice & Toya " 40 min Strength x Cardio ."
Tips for daily movement (simple + doable)
You do not need a perfect workout routine to stay consistent. Pick one idea, keep it light, and let it count.
1) Make it easy to start
Set a 10-minute minimum (you can always do more)
Keep your shoes, mat, or weights visible
Start with one song or one lap around your home
2) Choose a “mood-based” option
Low-motivation: dance to one song or do a short walk
Stressed: mobility flow or gentle Pilates-style movement
Restless: faster walk in place or a short cardio burst
3) Stack movement onto your day
Walk while you are on a call
Do 2–3 minutes of movement between tasks
Add a short “after meals” walk if it works for you
4) Use a mix that supports your body
Strength 2–3x a week: simple full-body or lower body focus
Low-impact most days: walking and mobility
Balance and coordination 1–2x a week: slow tempo, single-leg work
5) Track the after feeling (not just the minutes)
Notice energy, mood, and focus
Keep a quick note like: “moved today, felt calmer.”
A tiny plan for March (if you want one)
Pick a minimum (even 10 minutes counts).
Choose a “fun” option (dance) and a “steady” option (walk or strength).
Track how you feel after, not just what you did.
When Your Steps Dip: Let It Be Data (Not Shame)
Movement is not something you have to optimize into perfection. It is something you can return to, again and again, in whatever way fits your real life. If your schedule is full, let that be your cue to make it smaller, simpler, and more supportive. Ten minutes counts. One song counts. One lap counts.
Sometimes the dip is not “life being busy.” Sometimes it is avoidance, your nervous system quietly saying, “I am overwhelmed, so I am shrinking my world.” Less walking can become less sunlight, less music, less space, and less time with yourself. Not because you are lazy, but because you are coping.
So let the dip be information, not shame. A dip in steps is often your body’s signal flare, not your body’s failure. It is feedback that something needs to be simplified, supported, or softened. Instead of asking, “How do I get back to December numbers?” ask, “What would make movement feel safe and doable again this week?” Start there.
And here is the part we forget when we are stressed: movement is allowed to be enjoyable. Choose the movement that gives you your life back by following the fun, not the should, making it easy to start (one song counts), and tracking how you feel after, then pick a “minimum” you can repeat and let care create consistency, because that is how you keep showing up for your present self while you build your future self. If the only movement you can stick with is the movement that feels good, that is not a problem. That is the point.
Community check-in (drop yours in the comments)
When your schedule gets full, what helps you stay consistent with movement?
What’s your 10-minute minimum on a busy day?
Want a March Movement Thread where we share wins, minimums, and “one song counts” days?
If you’re in: reply with “I’m in” + your go-to movement (walk, dance, stretch, strength, etc.).
Episode 68 Description:
In this deeply personal December Reset episode, I reflect on the highs and lows of 2025: from building sustainable fitness habits and healing my relationship with food, to navigating body image struggles, past validation, and rediscovering authentic self-expression. I share how I'm closing out the year by blending intentional goal-setting with seasonal joy, and offer practical tips for making December feel special while staying aligned with your wellness journey.
💫 Key Topics:
Understanding common fitness misconceptions and how to build a sustainable movement practice
Healing your relationship with food and your body in the age of social media
When past validation becomes present pain: navigating identity and self-worth
Finding your authentic style after years of external expectations
The art of intentional living: small rituals that transform everyday moments
Balancing goal-setting with presence: a different approach to year-end planning
Seasonal self-care practices that support long-term wellness
Oracle guidance for collective healing this month
🎯 Perfect for anyone who's tired of toxic hustle culture, struggling with body image, or looking to create a more authentic relationship with themselves. This episode is raw, real, and packed with insights about building a life you actually want to live—not just one that looks good on paper.
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Music by Remil - Evening Tea - https://thmatc.co/?l=DFECB5D4
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About the It Girl with an IQ
I'm Lay, a writer, podcast host, YouTuber, and lifestyle content creator exploring the intersection of beauty, wellness, and personal development with intellectual depth. Through A Little Atypical, I create content for deep feelers and unconventional thinkers who want substance beyond surface-level advice. I believe you don't have to choose between being glamorous and being thoughtful. Yo
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